Floribunda rose plant named ‘Meinoplius’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Floribunda rose plant is provided that abundantly forms on a substantially continuous basis attractive double red-purple blossoms having a lighter coloration on the under surface. The vegetation is strong and a compact bushy growth habit is displayed. Exceptional resistance to common rose diseases has been observed. The plant is well suited for providing distinctive attractive ornamentation in the landscape.

Botanical/commercial classification: Rosa hybrida/Floribunda Rose Plant.

Varietal denomination: Cv. Meinoplius.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of Rosa hybrida Floribunda rose plant was created inFrance by artificial pollination wherein two parents were crossed whichpreviously had been studied in the hope that they would contribute thedesired characteristics. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) wasthe ‘Meihatoil’ variety (non-patented in the United States). The maleparent (i.e., the pollen parent) was the product of the ‘Korimro’variety (non-patented in the United States). The parentage of the newvariety can be summarized as follows:‘Meihatoil’×‘Korimro’.

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and smallplants were obtained which were physically and biologically differentfrom each other. Selective study resulted in the identification of asingle plant of the new variety.

It was found that the new Floribunda rose plant of the presentinvention:

-   -   (a) forms strong vegetation,    -   (b) forms a bushy compact growth habit,    -   (c) forms in abundance on a substantially continuous basis        attractive small double red-purple blossoms having a lighter        coloration on the under surface,    -   (d) displays attractive green foliage with a glossy aspect on        the upper surface,    -   (e) exhibits exceptional resistance to common rose diseases, and    -   (g) is well suited for providing distinctive attractive        ornamentation in the landscape.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry andcan be grown to advantage in parks and gardens. Blossoming commonlycommences early in the season.

The new variety can be readily distinguished from its ancestors. Forinstance, ‘Meihatoil’ variety forms dissimilar yellow blossoms. The‘Korimro’ variety forms dissimilar single blossoms and lacks apropensity for repeat blooming.

The new variety additionally can be readily distinguished from the‘Meidomonac’ variety (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,105) and the ‘Meisylpho’variety (non-patented in the United States). The ‘Meidomonac’ varietydisplays a considerably taller growth habit and lacks a petal colorchange on the under surface. The ‘Meisylpho’ variety forms largerflowers and also lacks a petal color change on the under surface.

The new variety has been found to undergo asexual propagation at LeCannet des Maures, Var, France, by a number of routes, includingbudding, grafting, and the use of cuttings. The plant grows well on itsown roots. Such asexual propagation by the above-mentioned techniqueshas shown that the characteristics of the new variety are stable and arestrictly transmissible by such asexual propagation from one generationto another. Accordingly, the new variety undergoes asexual propagationin a true-to-type manner.

The new variety has been named ‘Meinoplius’, and sometimes has beenidentified as ‘Lovely Pink’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph shows as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character,typical specimens of plant parts of the new variety. The rose plants ofthe new variety were approximately one year of age and were observedduring June while growing on their own roots outdoors at Le Cannet desMaures, Var, France. Standard colors are presented at the bottom of thephotograph for comparison.

FIG. 1 illustrates a specimen of a young shoot;

FIG. 2 illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of thesepals;

FIG. 3 illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the further opening ofthe sepals;

FIG. 4 illustrates a specimen of a floral bud at the opening of thepetals;

FIG. 5 illustrates a specimen of a flower in the course of opening;

FIG. 6 illustrates a specimen of an open flower-plan view-obverse;

FIG. 7 illustrates a specimen of an open flower-plan view-reverse;

FIG. 8 illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower-plan view-obverse;

FIG. 9 illustrates a specimen of a fully open flower-plan view-reverse;

FIG. 10 illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showingarrangement of the stamens and pistils;

FIG. 11 illustrates a specimen of a floral receptacle showingarrangement of the pistils (stamens removed);

FIG. 12 illustrates a specimen of a flowering stem;

FIG. 13 illustrates a specimen of a main branch;

FIG. 14 illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 3 leaflets-plan view-uppersurface;

FIG. 15 illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 5 leaflets-plan view-undersurface;

FIG. 16 illustrates a specimen of a leaf with 7 leaflets-plan view-uppersurface; and

FIG. 17 illustrates a specimen of a cluster of buds, and the openingflowers.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S. Colour Chart-1995 Edition or equivalent)except where ordinary color terms are utilized. Such common color termsare to be accorded their customary dictionary significance. Thedescription is based upon the observation during May of plants of thenew variety at an age of approximately one year while growing on theirown roots outdoors at Le Cannet des Maures, Var, France.

-   Class: Floribunda.-   Plant:    -   -   Growth habit.—Bushy.        -   Height.—Approximately 35 to 40 cm on average.        -   Width.—Approximately 40 cm on average.-   Branches:    -   -   Color.—Young stems: near Yellow-Green Group 144B. Adult            wood: near Yellow-Green Group 144A.        -   Stem number.—Commonly approximately 4 to 6 on average.        -   Stem length.—Commonly approximately 30 to 35 cm on average.        -   Thorns.—On young stems: commonly absent. On adult stems:            configuration: generally upright and slightly concave on the            under surface with an ovate base. smaller prickles: over a            stem length of 10 cm approximately 5 having a length of            approximately 0.7 cm, and a coloration of near Red Group 39B            and 39C. longer prickles: over a stem length of 10 cm            approximately 11 having a length of approximately 0.8 cm,            and a coloration of Greyed-Orange Group 166C.-   Leaves:    -   -   Overall appearance.—Dense, attractive dark green.        -   Size.—Approximately 7.5 cm in length on average, and            approximately 6 cm in width on average for a five-leaflet            leaf.        -   Leaflets.—Shape: generally oval. number: 3, 5 (most often)            and 7. apex: acuminate. base: obtuse. Size: the terminal            leaflets commonly are approximately 3 cm in length on            average, and approximately 2.8 cm in width on average.            Serration: small and single. Venation: substantially regular            around a central main vein, commonly near Green Group 137B            on the upper surface and near Yellow-Green Group 146B on the            under surface. Texture: firm and leathery. Color: young            foliage: near Green Group 137A on the upper surface, and            near Yellow-Green Group 146B on the under surface. mature            foliage: near Green Group 137A on the upper surface, and            near Yellow-Green Group 146B on the under surface.        -   Stipules.—General appearance: adnate, pectinate, and rather            broad. Length: approximately 1.8 cm on average. Width:            approximately 0.6 cm on average. Color: near Yellow-Green            Group 146D on the upper surface, and near Yellow-Green Group            146B on the under surface.        -   Petioles.—Length: commonly approximately 2 cm on average for            the terminal leaflet. Texture: non-glandular on the upper            surface, and commonly with a few prickles on the under            surface. Color: near Yellow-Green Group 146D on the upper            and under surfaces.        -   Rachis.—Color: near Yellow-Green Group 146D on the upper            surface, and near Yellow-Green Group 146B on the under            surface.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Number of flowers.—Commonly three to ten or more per stem.            On Jun. 5, 2013, seventy-five flowers were observed on a            one-year-old plant, and on Sep. 5, 2013, no flowers were            present.        -   Peduncle.—Approximately 3 cm in length on average,            approximately 5 mm in diameter on average, smooth in            texture, and commonly near Yellow-Green Group 146B in            coloration.        -   Sepals.—Tomentose on upper surface, smooth on under surface,            generally upright, commonly approximately 1.5 cm in length            on average, approximately 0.7 cm in width on average at the            widest point, near Yellow-Green Group 148C on the upper            surface, and near Yellow-Green Group 147B on the under            surface.        -   Buds.—Shape: generally conical. Size: small. Length:            approximately 1.2 cm on average. Width: approximately 0.9 cm            at the widest point on average. Color: upper surface: near            Red-Purple Group 66D suffused with near Red-Purple Group            66A. under surface: near Red-Purple Group 62D.        -   Flower.—Diameter approximately 7 cm on average when fully            open. Depth: approximately 2.5 cm when fully open. Shape:            cup-shaped. Color (in course of opening): upper side: near            Red-Purple Group 68D suffused with near Red-Purple Group            66C, and with a spot of near Yellow Group 2D at the base.            under side: near Red-Purple Group 62D, and with a spot of            White Group 155D at the base. Color (when fully open): upper            side: near Red-Purple Group 68D suffused with Red-Purple            Group 68A, and with a spot of Yellow Group 2D at the base.            under side: near Red-Purple Group 65D, and with a spot of            near White Group 155D at the base. Fragrance: none observed.            Petal number: commonly approximately 55 on average under            normal growing conditions. Petal shape: with a rounded tip            and an obtuse base. Petal size: commonly approximately 2.5            cm on average in length and width. Petal arrangement:            imbricated and without petaloids. Petal substance: firm and            leathery. Petal drop: good with the petals commonly            detaching cleanly before drying. Stamen number:            approximately 18 on average. Anthers: regularly arranged            around the styles, approximately 1 mm in size on average,            and near Orange Group 24D in coloration. Filaments: commonly            approximately 6 mm in size on average, and near Yellow Group            2D in coloration. Pistils: commonly approximately 33 on            average. Styles: approximately 1 mm in size on average, and            commonly near Red Group 53D in coloration. Stigmas: commonly            approximately 7 mm in size on average, and commonly near            Yellow Group 2D in coloration. Receptacle: shape:            funnel-shaped. length: approximately 5 mm on average. width:            approximately 5 mm at widest point on average. texture:            smooth. color: near Yellow-Green Group 144D.-   Development:    -   -   Vegetation.—Strong.        -   Blooming.—Early season, very abundant, and substantially            continuous.        -   Tolerance to diseases.—Very good for common rose diseases            during observations to date.

Plants of the new ‘Meinoplius’ variety have not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possiblethat the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in lightintensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmentalconditions.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Floribunda rose plant characterized bythe following characteristics: (a) forms strong vegetation, (b) forms abushy compact growth habit, (c) forms in abundance on a substantiallycontinuous basis attractive small double red-purple blossoms having alighter coloration on the under surface, (d) displays attractive greenfoliage with a glossy aspect on the upper surface, (e) exhibitsexceptional resistance to common rose diseases, and (g) is well suitedfor providing distinctive attractive ornamentation in the landscape;substantially as shown and described.